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The Sudanese commander known as Hemedti, once earned his living dealing in livestock and precious metals. Now, his paramilitary Rapid Support Forces dominate around 50% of Sudan.

Consolidating Control in Darfur

Hemedti's forces scored a notable victory by overrunning the city of el-Fasher, which was the last remaining army garrison in the Darfur area.

Feared and despised by his opponents, Hemedti is revered by his supporters for his ruthlessness and his promise to dismantle the discredited state.

Modest Origins

His background is humble. He comes from the Mahariya clan of the Rizeigat tribe, an Arab group that straddles the Chad-Sudan border region.

His birth year is approximately 1975, as is common in remote regions, his date and place of birth were not officially registered.

Guided by his uncle Juma Dagolo, his clan relocated to Darfur in the late 20th century, escaping war and in search of greener pastures.

Initial Ventures

After leaving school in his adolescence, Hemedti began earning by dealing in livestock across the desert to Libya and Egypt.

At that time, Darfur was Sudan's wild west—poor, neglected by the government of then-President Omar al-Bashir.

Arab militiamen known as the Janjawid attacked villages of the native Fur communities, triggering a full-scale rebellion in 2003.

Rise Through Violence

As a countermeasure, Bashir greatly enlarged the Janjaweed to spearhead his anti-rebel campaign. They quickly gained notoriety for burning, looting, and killing.

Hemedti's unit was part of this, implicated in destroying the village of Adwah in late 2004, killing 126 people, among them dozens of minors.

A US investigation concluded that the Janjaweed were guilty of genocide.

Calculated Moves

After the peak of violence in 2004, Hemedti astutely managed his rise to become leader of a powerful paramilitary force, a business network, and a political organization.

At one point he rebelled, demanding unpaid salaries for his soldiers, advancements, and a government role for his sibling. Bashir acceded to many of his requests.

Subsequently, when other Janjaweed units mutinied, Hemedti led loyalist troops that crushed them, taking over Darfur's largest artisanal gold mine at Jebel Amir.

Rapidly, his family company Al-Gunaid became the top gold exporter in Sudan.

Formalizing Power

By 2013, Hemedti asked for and received official recognition as commander of the new paramilitary group, reporting directly to Bashir.

Former militiamen were absorbed into the RSF, getting modern equipment and training.

International Connections

Hemedti's forces engaged in Darfur, performed less successfully in the Nuba region, and accepted a contract to police the border with Libya.

Ostensibly curbing illicit migration, Hemedti's officers also excelled at corruption and human smuggling.

In 2015, Gulf nations asked Sudanese troops for the Yemen conflict. Hemedti negotiated a separate deal to provide RSF mercenaries.

His ties with the UAE proved highly significant, beginning a strong alliance with UAE officials.

Growing Power

Young Sudanese men flocked to RSF recruiting centers for signing bonuses of up to six thousand dollars.

Hemedti struck a partnership with Russia's Wagner Group, receiving training in exchange for business arrangements, including in the gold trade.

His trip to Russia coincided with the day of the Ukraine war outbreak.

Political Betrayal

As protests grew, Bashir deployed Hemedti's units to the capital Khartoum, dubbing him "my protector".

It was a miscalculation. In April 2019, when protesters called for change, Bashir ordered the army to open fire. Instead, the military leaders deposed him.

Initially, Hemedti was hailed as a fresh face for Sudan. He attempted to rebrand, but that lasted only weeks.

Return to Violence

When power wasn't transferred, Hemedti unleashed the RSF, which killed hundreds, raped women, and reportedly executed men in the River Nile.

Hemedti has denied that the RSF engaged in war crimes.

Under foreign pressure, the military and civil leaders agreed to a compromise, leading to an unstable coexistence for several years.

Current Conflict

As an investigation began examining army businesses, the two generals dismissed the civilians and seized power.

But they fell out. Burhan demanded the RSF be integrated into the military. Hemedti resisted.

Last year, RSF units attempted to seize strategic locations in the capital. The takeover effort failed, and fighting erupted across the city.

Conflict intensified in Darfur, with the RSF mounting a vicious campaign against the Masalit community.

The UN estimates thousands of casualties, with the American officials calling it genocide.

Present Situation

Hemedti's forces obtained advanced arms, including military drones, deployed against army positions and critical for the capture of al-Fasher.

With this weaponry, the RSF is in a deadlock with the Sudanese army.

Hemedti has formed a parallel government, the "Government of Peace and Unity", appointing himself leader.

After taking al-Fasher, the RSF now holds almost all populated areas west of the Nile.

After allegations of atrocities, Hemedti announced a probe into abuses committed by his fighters.

Many believe Hemedti sees himself as ruler of an independent region or aspires to rule all of Sudan.

It's also possible, he may emerge as a behind-the-scenes power broker, controlling a vast network of interests.

While Hemedti's forces continue atrocities in el-Fasher, he appears confident of impunity in a global community that overlooks.